Refreshed 2016 Ssangyong Rexton coming soon

The 2016 Ssangyong Rexton doesn’t look a whole lot different but it does get a new Euro 6 engine boasting more power and torque…

AS IF THERE HAVEN’T BEEN enough new SUVs announced in 2015, the flood looks set to continue unabated in 2016. First off the rank is the new SsangYong Rexton, until now pretty much a blip on the sales graph.

When the refreshed Rexton first broke cover in Korea earlier in the year, Ssangyong Australia spokesperson, Daniel Cotterill, told Practical Motoring the updated Rexton wouldn’t arrive Down Under until 2016, although exact timing hadn’t been confirmed. We’ve asked for an update now that the vehicle is going on-sale in the UK and Europe and will update this article when we hear back.

The new Rexton doesn’t look much different, although some of the details have been cleaned up, but the big news is under the bonnet with a new 2.2-litre Euro 6 diesel that delivers better power, better fuel economy and reduced emissions. Also new is the 7-speed Mercedes-Benz-derived automatic transmission.

The new engine raises power to 131kW and 400Nm (up by 15 percent and 11 percent respectively) with maximum torque coming on from 1400rpm up to 2800rpm. Emissions are down from 196g/km to 184 and fuel consumption is now 7.1L/100km.

The big SsangYong is built on a tough ladder chassis and claims a 3-tonne towing capacity (with our usual warning to take this with a grain of salt and read our articles about real towing capacities). Reading between the lines, we think the lower spec model will come with a six-speed Mercedes-Benz auto transmission while the top-of-the-line will get the seven-speeder.

We have asked the local importer for clarification, and whether we will see more than one model. The EX auto and ELX get double wishbone and coil spring suspension up front and a five-link rigid rear axle with coil springs. The Rexton is one of the only medium 4x4s with selectable high- and low-range.

In other markets, the Rexton can be had with five or seven seats. Local delivery, specifications and pricing are yet to be confirmed.

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Paul Murrell

Paul’s mother knew he was a car nut when, aged three, he could identify oncoming cars from their engine note alone. By 10, he had decided what his first car would be and begun negotiations with a bank to arrange finance, the first of many expensive automotive mistakes. These days, he is happy to drive other people’s cars (on the road, off the road or on the track) and write up what’s good about them and what isn’t.

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